The Toronto Star reports a secondary autopsy found a detail that leads to the conclusion of a murder in which others close to the case say was done by a “professional” in a “contract killing” and it could be a “staged homicide.”

Toronto Star investigative reporter Kevin Donovan wrote “there are markings on the Shermans’ wrists, an indication that at some point their hands were tied together” and that “a top forensic pathologist who did a second autopsy determined this was a double homicide.”

That top pathologist is none other than Hospital for Sick Children’s Dr. David Chiasson, who is celebrated for his thoroughness, careful conclusions and privacy.

The questions for Chiasson are obviously ‘was this his conclusion and how likely would one of his reports be put in a position to be leaked out’ ahead of being given to police or the Sherman family who hired him to complete the second look?

“Dear Mr. Warmington: All inquiries concerning the Sherman matter are to be directed to Brian Greenspan. Regards, David Chiasson MD,” was his email to me.

Certainly Greenspan was very clear his team would act professionally.

“Any observations would be first shared with the Toronto Police,” said Greenspan, “We are not here to interfere with police but to support them.”

CBC has also spoken to an unnamed source about the Sherman case.

“Private investigators believe that the billionaire Toronto couple found dead at their home in December were murdered by multiple killers, a source with direct knowledge of the parallel probe into their mysterious deaths told CBC Toronto.”

Greenspan said both reports surprised him.

“Again, I have no idea where they are getting their information,” he said. “If it’s from one of our people — and we will find out — that person will be dropped from our team.”

“I highly doubt it’s from anyone on our team,” Greenspan added.

However, he would not confirm nor deny these reports, or any reports, that are based on unnamed sources. He said he feels the same way about such details allegedly coming from his group as he does “any information coming from unauthorized police sources.”

Toronto Police have from the beginning called these deaths “suspicious.”

Pharmaceutical giant Barry Sherman and his wife Honey were found dead in their home on upscale Old Colony Rd. in North York on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017.Dave Abel /
Toronto Sun/Postmedia

On the evening of Dec. 15, police publicly stated they were not looking for suspects in the case.

And sources have told the Toronto Sun, as well as other major media outlets, the working theory is that it was a “murder-suicide” scenario. But they always said they would do a full rundown of all evidence presented.

The Shermans’ children and friends were outraged by the initial police view and retained Greenspan to form a team to take a second look at the case.

Chiasson was brought on board for his medical expertise.

Former Toronto Police homicide detective Thomas Klatt and his team of seasoned investigators were hired to comb through every possible clue — including anything that may have been overlooked by police.

Privately-retained investigators canvas the area around the Sherman’s home.Joe Warmington, Toronto Sun

Klatt’s team have yet to be given access to the mansion on Old Colony Rd. where the Shermans were found with belts around their necks near their the indoor pool.

Police have held the scene since Dec. 15th and homicide detectives have searched the house, the grounds, the roof and nearby storm sewers. they have also canvassed the entire neighbourhood, checked vehicles, video cameras and reviewed cellphone records.

Greenspan has called the original view from police “premature” and feels the latest assertions fall into that same category.

“If at some point we come to the conclusion that we agree with police on their findings we will release it in a statement to everybody at the same time,” he said. “If we disagree, we will hold a news conference with our experts there to answer questions.”

Whatever the team’s findings, Greenspan said it won’t be leaked to the media.

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